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Sensei William ToolenSensei Toolen Started his study of Isshin Ryu Karate in 1979 while enlisted in the Marine Corps stationed at Camp Hansen Okinawa Japan. Sensei Toolens instructor was David C. Walton (Sho-Dan) Supervised by Master Angi Uezu, Membership #50 in the Isshin Ryu World Karate Association whose President is Master Kichiro Shimabuku (son of the founder Master Tatsuo Shimabuku). On 28 January 1980 Sensei Toolen attained the rank of GO-KYU 5th Green Belt at the Isshin Ryu Karate DoJo. Upon rotating back to the states in 1980, Sensei Toolen continued his study of Isshin Ryu Karate at the Oceanside Martial Arts Center in Oceanside, California under the instruction of Sensei Bruce Curnick San-Dan. In April of 1982 Sensei Toolen was granted the rank of Sho-Dan 1st degree Black Belt in recognition of progress, ability and knowledge that had been accomplished by the diligent study and practice in the art of Isshin Ryu Karate. As a member of the International Isshin-ryu Karate Association Sensei Toolen also received a Black Belt Certificate of Rank Signed by Harold Long Chairman and Allen Wheeler President membership number 342. In 1982 Sensei Toolen returned to Jersey City, NJ where he grew up and continued his training at Don Nagels Isshin Ryu Karate Central Ave Dojo under the Instruction of Sensei Dennis Hoare. In 1985 Sensei Toolen went back to Okinawa and continued his study of Isshin Ryu with Sensei Shinsei Matsumoto GO-Dan and Master Angi Uezu. In 1988 Sensei Toolen continued his training at Glovers Isshin Ryu Karate School Jacksonville, North Carolina under the instruction of Sensei Daniel Glover Go-Dan, one of the last students of the founder Master Tatsuo Shimabuku. Sensei Toolen also joined the American Okinawan Karate Association membership # 46179. On 27 January 89 Sensei Toolen was promoted to Ni-Dan (2nd degree Black Belt) by Sensei Glover.  In 1990 Sensei Toolen once again returned back to Okinawa continuing his training at the Camp Foster Dojo under the instruction of Master Angi Uezu 8th Dan and Sensei Tsuyoshi Uechi Yo-Dan. Sensei Toolen became a member of the Okinawa Isshin Ryu Karate do Association membership # 663. On 30 Nov 1990 Sensei Toolen was promoted to San-Dan (3rd Degree Black Belt) by Master Uezu. 1990 was also the year Sensei Toolen was named a Director of the OIKKA. In 1992 Sensei Toolen returned to the Jersey City Dojo. On 30 Nov 92 at Molineros Isshin Ryu Karate dojo in West New York, NJ, Sensei Toolen was promoted to Yon-Dan (4th Degree Black Belt) by Master Angi Uezu during one of his trips to the states. In 2007 Master Tom Clarkin invited Sensei Toolen to help teach at the Bayonne High School Isshin Ryu Karate League. On 13 May 2008 Sensei Toolen was promoted to his present rank of Go-Dan (5th Degree Black Belt)By Master George Wanko and Master Tom Clarkin. In Sept of 2009 Sensei Toolen opened his first Dojo the Bayonne Martial Arts Center at its present location. |